At least 550 residents evacuated as Banning wildfire scorches more than 2,950 acres.

BANNING -- At least 550 people were evacuated from their homes on Wednesday when a wind-driven brush fire injured one firefighter, destroyed at least one home and scorched at least 2,950 acres in Mias Canyon.

The firefighter sustained minor injuries. The nature of his injuries were not immediately clear.

Banning resident Joe Kiener lost his home to what is being called the Summit Fire. The home had belonged to his mother, who died this past Easter, he said.

Kiener said he had just finished vacuuming a few minutes before the wildfire overtook and destroyed his home.

The wildfire originated near San Gorgonio Road near Summit Drive in Banning around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Riverside County Fire Department release. As of 9 p.m., it had scorched more than 2,950 acres and was 35 percent contained, officials said. There was no estimation when firefighters would reach full containment.

"I'm not worried because of all of the firemen here working to put it out," said Rodrigo De Leon, a ranch hand for a property with several horses on the outskirts of Mountain drive, at the edge of the fire.

Strike teams and crews from a number of fire agencies including San Bernardino County Fire, Los Angeles County Fire, Orange County Fire, Cal Fire, Chino Valley Fire, Rancho Cucamonga Fire and San Antonio Heights Fire has been deployed to the area.

Residents along Indian School Lane and the top of Eighth Street were evacuated to the Banning Community Services Center at 789 N. San Gorgonio Ave., according to the Riverside County Fire Department's website.

The Highland Springs Mobile Home Park, consisting of 200 mobile homes and about 550 residents, in Cherry Valley west of Banning was also evacuated, according to officials, but those residents were allowed to returned to their homes around 8 p.m.

With temperatures reaching into the 80s and winds from the east being clocked at 29 mph, there was some concern the fire would continue to move west and parts of Beaumont may be evacuated as well, according to initial fire reports, though as of 7 p.m. Wednesday there were no evacuation orders west of Cherry Valley.

An evacuation center for small animals was set up at San Jacinto Valley Animal Services, 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto, officials said. A large-animal evacuation center also was open at Noble Creek Park at 390 Oak Valley Parkway in Beaumont.

Local residents and businesses have come together to help those affected by the large blaze, including Rio Ranch Market off Ramsey Street, which donated 30 cases of water to the American Red Cross evacuation site at the Banning Community Center.

Water-dropping helicopters and air tankers could be seen dropping fire-retardant liquid on the flames and surrounding areas.

The heavy smoke was visible for miles and was of concern to health officials.

Between 2:20 and 6:10 p.m. the fire jumped from 150 acres to 1,700.

More than 400 firefighters were at the scene.

Also on Wednesday, a small fire broke out near Angelus Oaks near Highway 38 and Glass Road. It burned less than a quarter-acre of brush, according to California Highway Patrol reports.